This week communities across the country that receive homeless funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are conducting a homeless point in time count and Plattsburgh is no different.

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The goal of the program is to help localities plan and better provide for the homeless in their community. Officials in Plattsburgh were out Wednesday counting everybody who is sheltered, including those in houses, hotels and motels, as well as people who are living in unsheltered areas.

“We count all churches, soup kitchens, town offices, to try to figure out who is in places not meant for human habitation,” said Shauna Miller, executive director of ETC Housing Corporation.

HUD requires that all communities pick one day during the last week of January to conduct the counting.

For the study, homeless individuals are asked to complete a survey indicating basic demographic information.

The federal government agency uses the data collected to assess trends and determine how best to distribute funds in the coming years.